Memories of Christmas

Memories of Christmas
Like eternal glue
Bind us together
Make old times seem new

It was just yesterday
On our Christmas Eve drives
We would wow at the lights
In the trees and the grounds

Of other homes which were
Eager like ours
Waiting for morning,
Counting the hours

Who would be Santa?
Hand out the gifts
Or course, new ornaments
From Deb, were the best.

They were customized, personalized
Reflecting the year
A poem learned, a movie seen
Was remembered in the ornament hanging there.

Linda's cookies oh what a treat
Buckeye balls, and Santa Clause
And everyone would cheat
Sticking their fingers under the plastic wrap and again they would repeat

Year after year saying the red icings better
Oh no I like the green,
When the reality is
A food coloring with a taste has yet to be seen.

There was a method to the presents
That Santa brought around
Clothes for Matthew
Dad's gifts usually made sound

Chris went to the movies,
That was his deal
Libby got books
And things she could feel.

Every year for Deb
I would ask her to coach
But Santa would always bring one thing
A shiny new broach.

Like seeds of a dandelion
Blown in the wind
These memories are replanted
Again and again

Each new growth is the same
In a way
But they tend to be modified
And that is OK

There are new traditions
Added to the old
But all those old stories
Will be retold and retold

The golf tee in water
Matt with his balloon
Libbys "for me, for me"
Dad playing a tune

Deb making sure the forks on the left
Or was it the right
We were all there together
Oh what a sight

But today is good
We are all OK
There is nothing to sigh about
Nothing to say

Just hold all those memories
Deep in your heart
They are there for your comfort
For you are a part

Of a great history
A part of our clan
If it gives you joy, a chuckle, a tear, a longing
It's all in the plan